Maeve hesitated dialing Byron’s again. She didn’t want to come off as needy, so she decided to just wait it out, hoping he’d back to sooner or later. Almost a full day had without a single bite to cat. Her stomach growled and pain, and eventually, exhaustion took over. She drifted into a sleep, too drained and hungry her open any longer. After what felt like forever, Maeve woke up groggily, squinting at phone to was past ten in the morning. She realized she’d been stuck in this room for nearly twenty-four hours, and her phone battery was barely holding on at three percent. She stared at phone, her heart as there were no missed or messages. A of over her. She shut her eyes and curled up the floor, trying to the gnawing hunger. Is busy to back, or did he forget about me?’ she wondered, pulling her knees to her chest, shielding eyes with her hand. The was bad, but the endless, was worse. In executive office at Mcdaniel the afternoon sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing Byron in a warm, golden light as he sat his desk. his looks and commanding presence, was every inch the powerful CEO McDaniel, you just got over a fever and barely slept last night,” Archer said for the third time as the office. “If you keep pushing like crash. Plus, it’s to change the dressing your wound,” put down the with a swift flick his wrist, signed his bold, decisive strokes-sharp and unyielding, just like him “What time it?” he asked. “It’s already five the afternoon. ld b***ds?” they’d talk father. capped his pen slowly, a at his lips. If they think that’ll make change my mind…” grabbed his jacket from the back his chair stood up. the the car around. “Oh, by the way, Mr. your called again last night. He’s insisting you soon,” Archer added. Byron gave a brief nod, his flashing back Maeve’s from two days ago. He picked his and dialed her number. The call almost immediately. ‘Something’s come up I won’t be coming home tonight, Byron said as he stepped of the office. was about to hang up when a faint him in his tracks. “Help me… His grip tightened on the phone. “Where are you?” locked by my parents. If you could just-Maeve’s voice cut off abruptly as the phone battery had died. Byron quickly redialed, but call went straight to voicemail. A deep his brow. 14:40 Mon, Oct 14 GB Chapter 13 McDaniel, grandfather called again-he’s insisting you soon,” said, hurrying over. Byron’s gaze lingered phone for a moment he a slight and the elevator. In the parking lot, he the back of the car, pressing his fingers lightly against the wound on his abdomen, his mind deep in thought. Take me the Reese instructed. the driver replied. Half an later, they arrived at the Reese residence. Scott an engagement that evening, and Valda was shopping, alone at home. After nearly and of locked up. She lay on cold floor, barely conscious, her strength almost entirely spent. What Maeve awake the loud crack of door lock breaking and the blinding rush light into storage room. Through the glare, saw Byron’s tall, figure striding toward his presence cutting through light. Maeve squinted up at him, her weakly grasping the hem of Byron’s coat. Her voice was whisper. “Help… help Byron looked down frail, trembling hands, his face impassive. “Can you move?” Maeve shook head her movements slow and labored. “Ugh, how troublesome,” Byron his impatience evident. Maeve her dry lips, her fingers loosening their grip on his coat. But before she could bent and lifted her his arms, to carry her out Maeve, taken aback, stared at his sharp jawline as a wave of dizziness her. She closed her eyes, pressing hands her stomach to soothe the gnawing hunger. they reached the bottom of the stairs, into who had returned for her wallet. Seeing Byron Maeve, Valda’s face twisted in shock. “How did you get in here? Put my daughter down right now-” shot her a piercing look. ” His voice firm commanding of Scott’s wrath, Valda didn’t step aside. Instead, she after Byron as he carried Maeve out of the building. “You can’t just take my already agreed to divorce you! If you keep this I’ll call police! “And let me tell Jeff is love with Maeve and marry anyone else. You’re a driver-don’t fool yourself into thinking you a chance with her!” cast a cold, sidelong glance at Valda, his gaze chilling around him. Maeve, feeling the weight of his presence, was struck by how a mere driver could exude such authority despite the. he’d endured. As over the past few with Byron, doubt crept in for the first time, ‘Is really just driver? she wondered.